What Happened to Benjamin Matthew McCollum?
Ben McCollum is a highly successful American college basketball coach, renowned for his championship-winning tenure at Northwest Missouri State and his rapid ascent in NCAA Division I. After a single, record-breaking season at Drake University, he took the helm at the University of Iowa in 2025, leading the Hawkeyes to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1987 in his debut season.
Quick Answer
Ben McCollum is currently the head men's basketball coach for the University of Iowa, a position he has held since March 24, 2025. In his first season (2025-26), he guided the Hawkeyes to a 21-12 regular season record and a No. 9 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, where they advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in nearly four decades. Despite recent rumors connecting him to other high-profile coaching vacancies, McCollum publicly affirmed his commitment to staying at Iowa on March 27, 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Born in Iowa City, Iowa
Benjamin Matthew McCollum was born in Iowa City, Iowa.
Graduates from Northwest Missouri State
McCollum graduated from Northwest Missouri State with a degree in business finance, having also played basketball for the Bearcats.
Begins Assistant Coaching Career at Emporia State
After serving as a graduate assistant at Northwest Missouri State (2003-05), McCollum took his first full-time coaching position as an assistant at Emporia State, where he remained for four seasons.
Named Head Coach at Northwest Missouri State
McCollum returned to his alma mater, Northwest Missouri State, as the head men's basketball coach.
Wins First NCAA Division II National Championship
McCollum led Northwest Missouri State to its first NCAA Division II men's basketball national championship.
Achieves Undefeated Season and Second DII National Title
The Bearcats completed a perfect 38-0 season, capturing their second NCAA Division II national championship under McCollum.
Wins Fourth NCAA Division II National Championship
McCollum guided Northwest Missouri State to its fourth NCAA Division II national championship, marking their third consecutive title (the 2020 tournament was canceled).
Inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
Ben McCollum was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024, recognizing his significant achievements at Northwest Missouri State.
Hired as Head Coach at Drake University
McCollum accepted the head men's basketball coaching position at Drake University, making the transition to NCAA Division I.
Named Head Coach at University of Iowa
After a highly successful single season at Drake, McCollum was announced as the 23rd head men's basketball coach for the University of Iowa.
Leads Iowa to NCAA Sweet Sixteen
In his first season, McCollum coached the Iowa Hawkeyes to a significant upset victory over No. 1 seed Florida (73-72) in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.
Iowa Reaches Elite Eight; McCollum Denies Coaching Rumors
McCollum led Iowa to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987 with a victory over Nebraska in the Sweet Sixteen. On the same day, he publicly dismissed rumors linking him to other coaching jobs, affirming his commitment to Iowa.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Ben McCollum's coaching journey began after a playing career at North Iowa Area Community College and Northwest Missouri State, where he helped lead the Bearcats to their first Elite Eight appearance in 2001-02. He served as a graduate assistant at Northwest from 2003-05 and then as an assistant coach at Emporia State for four seasons before returning to his alma mater as head coach in 2009.
His tenure at Northwest Missouri State was nothing short of historic. After a challenging first two seasons, McCollum transformed the Bearcats into a Division II powerhouse. He led the program to four NCAA Division II national championships in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022, including an undefeated 38-0 season in 2018-19. He amassed a remarkable 394-91 record over 15 seasons, earning five NABC Division II National Coach of the Year awards and nine MIAA Coach of the Year honors. His success at the DII level was so profound that his teams were often described as playing at a Division I level.
In April 2024, McCollum made the jump to NCAA Division I, accepting the head coaching position at Drake University. In his single season with the Bulldogs (2024-25), he achieved unprecedented success, guiding them to a school-record 31 wins, sweeping the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles, and securing the program's first non-First Four NCAA Tournament win since 1971, advancing to the Round of 32. This exceptional performance earned him the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year and the Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year awards.
On March 24, 2025, McCollum was named the 23rd head men's basketball coach at the University of Iowa, fulfilling a 'dream come true' as an Iowa native. In his inaugural season with the Hawkeyes (2025-26), he quickly made an impact, leading the team to a 21-12 regular season record and a No. 9 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Iowa's tournament run included victories over Clemson and a significant upset over No. 1 seed Florida (73-72) to reach the Sweet Sixteen, followed by a win against Nebraska to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987. As of March 29, 2026, McCollum has publicly denied rumors of interest in other coaching positions, stating his commitment to building a championship program at Iowa.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Benjamin Matthew McCollum made different choices?